As a clownish Fellow was sitting musing upon a bank, a Gnat alighted
upon his leg and bit it. He slapped his hand upon the place, with the
intention of crushing the assailant; but the little nimble insect
escaped between his fingers, and repeated its attacks. Every time he
struck at it, he gave himself a smart blow upon the leg, but missed his
aim. At this he became enraged, and in the height of his peevish and
impatient humour, he earnestly prayed to Hercules, beseeching him with
his mighty power to stretch forth his arm against a pernicious insect,
by which he was so miserably tormented.